TOPAZ HORIZON

Yesterday, I had a meeting. I usually bring my baby Iñigo with me everywhere. Since we have no household help and nannies, Vince takes care of our three-year-old Vito while I care for Iñigo. It's not so hard toting Iñigo around (I have an adorable example here!) but since it was raining, Vince said I should leave the baby at home.

Good thing I did. I waited for a cab for 30 minutes to get to a place that was a mere 5 minutes away on wheels and 15 minutes away on foot. I'd have walked if it weren't for the wind and pouring rain. After my meeting, I lined up again at the taxi area but the line was 20 feet long and there was no taxi in sight so I decided to take the bus.

I haven't taken the bus in years. Well, I kinda don't count the buses in Bonifacio Global City since those are really nice and BGC is tiny and not stressful. I used to be on buses, trains and jeeps all the time. One, we were poor. Two, even when I married Vince, I still preferred commuting since it was waaaaaay faster than a car. But when the kids came and I bring them along everywhere, I take the car or a cab to move around the city.

This is me taking the kids to Active Fun. Vince wasn't feeling well that day so we took a cab.

Vito doesn't like public transport. Iñigo is fine with any moving vehicle. Except maybe a tricycle. He didn't like the noise. Here he is in a trike. He was frowning the whole time haha.

So back to yesterday. I took the bus. Okay, it's no big deal. I was just surprised at how I felt. I'd forgotten the rush and crush of people, the smell of the wet pavement and decaying garbage, the thick exhaust fumes, the deafening horns of the buses, the heat, the quick steps or else you get pushed aside, the asshole drivers, the asshole pedestrians. Although my instinct to hold my bag close to me and to be alert to fellow passengers rose up very quickly. That felt like a welcome friend.

This used to be my life. I used to do this every day. I lived near Masinag Market in Antipolo and back then, there was not enough public transportation. I used to stand under the sun for 2 hours, waiting for a jeep. I used to fight for seats sa jeep or sa FX. I used to run after buses. That was my life for so many years. Then my life improved recently and I forgot what it was like to be part of the masses.

With my friend Jennie when we were in our early 20s. I was so dark because I was under the sun commuting all the time!

Funny how memory is.

So maybe government officials should take the bus once a month. Maybe they shouldn't even be given cars. It's hard to understand what your constituents' life is like if you don't live it even for a few days every now and then. It's a good exercise.

I wore my sapphire today. I usually wear my topaz but since the gloomy weather felt kinda blue, I took this ring out of its box.

I love it. I bought it because I wanted it to be my engagement ring. I'm a Diana fan! But Vince gave me a diamond because he said, "Look at what happened to that marriage!"

I have a big feeling in my gut that that won't be the fate of William and Kate. Here's what I'm watching now:








Sooo romantic! What I find most romantic is not the royal aspect really but their determination to stay together and their commitment to each other. That's the only secret to a good marriage, kids. Commitment. It's the most serious and most romantic thing in the world!

Del Monte Spaghetti sent my kids art materials a few weeks ago. Now Vito has expressed a keen interest in colors and drawing since this summer so I was very happy to have new art stuff sent our way (thanks, Del Monte!).

When we opened the watercolors set, Vito was amazed. But his impatience with wetting the brush, picking up paint, and building up color layer by layer soon frustrated him. So I picked up the really rather pathetic brush with plastic bristles and showed him what he could do with watercolors.

Not bad! Not good but, hey, I've never painted in my life. But now I want to! I think I'll put this on my bucket list: Paint something big! Maybe my husband will buy it haha!

What artsy crafty thing did you do this weekend?

My family and I were invited to a shopping spree at Watsons! Now, my family's a fan of Watsons. Just go to this post on Topaz Mommy to see our usual hoard. So anyway, when we got that invitation to shop shop shop in June (I know, what a late post!), we said yes yes yes!

Over at my Facebook page, I've been promising to give this dress away to my readers for weeks now but I just haven't been able to do it because I have other things to do. I'm seriously considering not doing giveaways anymore unless it's sponsored (this is not a sponsored post) because it's so much work!

Can you smell a rant? Hehe. Sorry! Unlike everyone else, I no longer use Random.org nor do I use Rafflecopter for my contests. I now really go through each and every entry then I pick who I like best. What happened? Well, I gave away a fab shopping experience before Christmas last year and the winner was randomly picked. I announced it on the blog, on all my social media accounts... No response from the winner! That means the winner doesn't read my blog or follow me on social media! It was a fab gift. I wanted the winner to truly deserve it. I wanted a loyal reader to always win my giveaways. So now I check each entry! And it takes up so much of my time!

Rant over.

To win this fabulous Vania Romoff dress, simply ask your husband or boyfriend to post a couple photo over at my Facebook page. Say whut?! Yeah, I have to pick a guy to win this contest because I promised it.

Never make promises you can't keep so even if this is kinda silly, I'm doing it this way! I kinda like it, though. I'll get to see your guys! I love romance! And this sexy Vania Romoff dress is sure to add sizzle to your love affair!

UPDATE: The dress will fit an XS or an S. It's backless and almost waistless. You gotta be pretty tiny and wasp-waisted to slither into this baby.

So here are the mechanics:
1. Ask your guy to post a photo of you as a couple on my Facebook page. Note: Better if full body shot!
2. Tell him to type: "I want my girl [your name] to win this sexy Vania Romoff dress from @TopazHorizon because she is the hottest thing that ever walked this planet!"
3. Tag three of his friends.

That's it! I'll pick a winner by next Topaz Fashion!

Thanks, Nestlé Non-Fat Milk, for the dress for my lucky reader. Sana ako rin meron designer dress!!!

UPDATE: The winner of the super sexy Vania Romoff designer dress is Jet Meneses! Well, he won it for his gorgeous wife, Josephine.

Thanks for joining, Jet. And thank you for being such a fabulous hubby to Josephine. That white hot dress will make your wife look absolutely incredible! Send me a message via my Facebook page on how you can claim your prize.